Our staff members have compiled a list of their favorite books of the year, each one delving into the intersection of science with some of society’s most pressing issues. From AI to childhood trauma to river restoration, these books offer valuable insights into how science plays a crucial role in shaping our world. If your favorite book didn’t make the list, feel free to reach out to us at feedback@sciencenews.org.
“Rehab” by Shoshana Walter takes readers inside U.S. drug treatment centers, shedding light on the barriers to access and unethical practices that can hinder recovery from addiction. This journalist’s exposé reveals the struggles faced by individuals seeking help for their substance use disorders.
“Shadows Into Light” by Theresa S. Betancourt follows the lives of children who were forced to fight in Sierra Leone’s civil war. This long-term study uncovers the lasting effects of trauma on these children’s psychosocial development and explores the factors that have helped some former child soldiers heal and rebuild their lives.
“Black Religion in the Madhouse” by Judith Weisenfeld explores how white psychiatrists pathologized Black religious practices as mental illness after the abolition of slavery and the U.S. Civil War. This historian of religion unpacks the racist views that shaped the field of psychiatry during this tumultuous time in American history.
“The Salmon Cannon and the Levitating Frog” by Carly Anne York advocates for the value of basic science research. This animal physiologist argues that curiosity-driven research, aimed at understanding the world around us, can lead to unexpected benefits and breakthroughs that may not have been foreseen.
“Everything is Tuberculosis” by John Green examines the medical and social history of tuberculosis, one of the world’s deadliest infectious diseases. This famous author builds a case for how modern social injustice perpetuates the spread of tuberculosis, despite the availability of treatments and cures.
“The Water Remembers” by Amy Bowers Cordalis tells the story of the Yurok tribe’s fight to remove dams from the Klamath River in the U.S. Northwest. This Indigenous-led effort to restore the river’s ecosystems resulted in the world’s largest dam removal project to date, showcasing the power of community-driven environmental restoration.
“A Year With the Seals” by Alix Morris explores the rebound of seal populations in North America from the brink of extinction. This science journalist delves into the tensions that have arisen in coastal communities as seal numbers continue to grow, highlighting the complexities of wildlife conservation efforts.
“The Martians” by David Baron traces the history of the “canals” on Mars that captured the public’s imagination in the late 1800s and early 1900s. This journalist explores how the canal theory influenced public perceptions of intelligent life on Mars and shaped the field of astronomy.
“More Everything Forever” by Adam Becker challenges the sci-fi future envisioned by tech billionaires, in which superintelligent AI serves humankind in an ever-expanding society in outer space. This scientist journalist argues that this utopian vision is implausible and ethically fraught, urging readers to consider the consequences of such ambitions.
“Tales of Militant Chemistry” by Alice Lovejoy uncovers how film giant Kodak used its chemical engineering expertise to support the United States’ weapons manufacturing efforts during the two world wars. This media and cultural historian reveals the role of Kodak in creating the first atomic bombs and highlights the intersections between science, industry, and warfare.
Each of these books offers a unique perspective on the complex relationship between science and society, inviting readers to think critically about the impact of scientific advancements on our world. Whether you’re interested in addiction treatment, environmental conservation, or the history of scientific discovery, there’s a book on this list that’s sure to captivate and inspire you. Explore these titles and let us know which one resonates with you the most.
